Wireless/Streaming Audio System for Bedroom

Squink · 10 Sep 2018 at 14:58

I'm looking for a new audio system to put into my bedroom. It might be used for 30 mins to an hour per evening, though not at high volumes (I have children sleeping in adjacent rooms), but I would like it to sound decent. The only source will be music streamed from either Amazon Music or Spotify.

I've looked at getting two Sonos One speakers (assuming they can run stereo, I'm not quite sure), but am not convinced they represent good value for money. I also thought about a couple of Samsung R3 speakers which can be picked up fairly cheaply. I suspect these will sound pretty similar to the Sonos Ones, but will also be able to serve as rear speakers for my Samsung soundbar in the living room downstairs if I ever decide to use them for that purpose.

Then my eye got caught by the Naim Mu-so QB, which is rather more than I wanted to spend at £600-ish, but if it's going to sound comparable to a modest dedicated speakers+amp hifi setup, I could potentially be lured in.

So, long story short - high quality audio at low listening volumes, ideally in stereo but not a deal breaker. They also need to look acceptable to my wife's critical eye. What's my best bet?

Flibster · 10 Sep 2018 at 15:59

If you can find a reasonably priced Pioneer HM86D, could be worth a listen.
Doesn't sound as good or have as many inputs as the prior model, the HM82D, but also has Chromecast, airplay, deezer, spotify and tidal built in.

Add a Echo dot using the line in *or via bluetooth* and your set for pretty much anything.

If not that, there is the Marantz MCR611, similar sort of thing.

MrRockliffe · 10 Sep 2018 at 16:23

The Sonos (Play) Ones sound very good for their size. If you get the older gen (which sound the same, but don't have built in voice control), then you're getting a pretty good deal.

The Samsung R3 sounds pretty poor, IMO, in comparison, regardless of cost.

Spent a good number of hours listening to stuff in JL while I worked there, and just found the Sonos to be the best all round. Had quite a few returns of the Samsung stuff vs number bought, but can't remember much, if any, Sonos stuff being returned because someone didn't like it.

I would definitely go to a store and give everything a listen before you commit.

From memory 2 Sonos (Play) Ones can be setup in stereo

billystanton · 10 Sep 2018 at 16:24

The Sonos kit is great, especially two One's paired up to make a stereo pair.

If you order via sonos, you get a 100 day trial period I believe.

Squink · 10 Sep 2018 at 18:42

Flibster said:
If not that, there is the Marantz MCR611, similar sort of thing.

I like this idea, but I've already got an unused Denon AVR in the loft which allows all sorts of streaming from a phone. I accept these models you mention are rather less bulky, but I'm not sure my wife would be impressed by another black or silver box appearing in the house.

I appreciate the comment on the R3s MrRockliffe. They were on BOGOF a few weeks ago, a deal I missed. If they were still available at £120 for two I'd likely just chance it. On the other hand, everyone seems to have a positive opinion of Sonos. I've read many reviews, but I tend to get suspicious when everything is painted in glowing colours - like one of those foam mattresses with eight million five star reviews on Amazon.

I really want this to sound crisp and clear - are Sonos Ones genuinely "hifi" quality or are they a lifestyle speaker which people who are used to Alba all-in-ones find to be a huge improvement while not actually being that amazing? (Note I use this as an example, not as an insult against people recommending them.)

A friend has a Bose Soundtouch 30, which sounded fairly ok in the 5 minutes listen I had and it's a similar price to a pair of Sonos Ones. Has anyone tested these two and has an opinion?

billystanton · 10 Sep 2018 at 21:19

I wouldn’t say they were crystal clear clarity, but then again they are only £199 (each) and not really made for audiophiles!

In my opinion, they provide best bang for buck (if you’ll use all the features, music services etc)

Pop down to a richer sounds or John Lewis and have a listen to some options

Squink · 11 Sep 2018 at 13:25

Richer Sounds are advertising two Samsung R3s for £120 and at that price I was willing to take a punt being as this is £240 cheaper than a pair of Sonos Ones. If they were average I planned to use them as wireless rears for my soundbar if I didn't like them. Unfortunately, the R3s are out of stock now, but I had a chat with the salesman about what I was after and as soon as I mentioned the Naim Mu-so Qb, he became quite enthusiastic about the difference in quality between this product and the Sonos Ones (he also talked about Bluesound which I hadn't heard of before).

Anyway, I'll get down to the Newcastle shop in the next few days and have a listen to some stuff. £599 is rather more than I wanted to pay, but if I'm blown away I might get the Naim.

Squink · 12 Sep 2018 at 14:33

I've had a listen to both the Sonos Ones and the Naim mu-so qb. I bought the Naim and it's now in my bedroom. The Sonos Ones were pretty much what I expected and sound fairly similar to the Azatom device I already have in the kitchen (better, but cut from the same cloth).

I was expecting my wife to be more interested in the looks, but she spotted the difference in sound quality immediately. It seemed like money well-spent in the end, since I expect to keep the Naim for years.